SD Trooper's Family: Surgery Lifted Spirits

His road to recovery has been long, but South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Steen hit a big milestone on Wednesday.

Wednesday surgeons replaced a piece of Steen's skull removed shortly after he was run over by a suspected drunk driver in October.

Steen's father, Dan, says this nearly two-month ordeal has been difficult for the family. The only thing that makes it worth it is watching his son's continuing progress. Andrew Steen is awake, talking and in good spirits. With Wednesday's successful surgery, the family is feeling confident too.

“We knew this was going to be a turning point,” Dan Steen said, “There's so many things in the process that are related to having that flap put back in. And I think we're already seeing improvements in Andrew since 6 a.m. this morning.”

Dan Steen says he and his family have some big goals for their son in the coming weeks, which hinged on a successful surgery.